Diversity Statement
In the course of this program, I have studied the digital divide—the invisible line that separates those with access to technological devices, resources and support and those without access (Steele, 2019, February 22). More importantly, I have learned strategies, as an educator and as a coach, to mitigate the digital divide so that students have a chance to participate in life-enriching technology use. My experience in the instructional technology program at KSU has improved my knowledge, skill and disposition to instruct a diverse population of students and teachers as a technology coach.
First, I believe that every student is capable of learning. Technology helps make this simple fact a reality in a diverse classroom. For example, when classroom teachers differentiate learning experiences with visuals, multimedia texts, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) students are more engaged, but these strategies are especially effective for English Language Learners and students with ADHD (Hobgood & Ormsby, 2010). Furthermore, teachers should build technology support and digital literacy into their classroom instruction, so that students have the training they need to be successful in classroom technology and in life. By designing lessons that widen the net of successful students and by explicitly teaching classroom technology, teachers can take the first steps ensure more equitable learning experiences for the students in their classrooms.
Some student groups need extra advocacy or extra support in order for their learning to be equitable. For example, as a field experience, I worked with a dyslexic student to understand his needs and collaborated with a team to recommend appropriate Assistive Technology (AT). AT does not have to be high-tech. There is a range of assistive technologies from no-tech to high-tech and everything in between that may help a student function in essential and less-essential tasks (Roblyer & Hughes, 2018, p.315). Clear and regular communication among stakeholders is necessary to support children with disabilities in their technology use for equitable learning. Additionally, demographic factors, like gender, race, and income, often correlate with a student’s interest in a STEM or technology-driven field. In these cases, technology coaches should advocate for under-represented student groups by encouraging student clubs that generate interest from under-represented groups to enter careers in technology (Scott, 2009, November 13). In these cases, technology coaches should work with other leaders in the school to correct societal inequities.
Below is a list of activities I have completed demonstrating my ability to successfully address diversity issues in today’s schools:
- Provided profession development for teachers on how to use video technology to differentiate instruction.
- Recommended Assistive Technology for a student as part of an AT team.
- Reviewing software and web resources for bias or insensitivity.
- Collecting/utilizing demographic or subgroup data for targeted school improvement
- Creating equitable classrooms by advocating for the fair and effective distribution of technology resources.
- Modeling and advocating for the use of technology for challenging tasks and higher order thinking for all students.
- Created and modeled a lesson with internet tutorials for students to learn and troubleshoot a new technology.
References
Hobgood, B., & Ormsby, L. (2010). Inclusion in the 21st-century classroom: Differentiating with technology--Reaching every learner: Differentiating instruction in theory and practice. UNC School of Education. Retrieved March 1, 2020, from http://web.archive.org/web/20180125110137/www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6776/
Roblyer, M. D., & Hughes, J. E. (2018). Integrating educational technology into teaching. New York: Pearson.
Scott, K. (2009, November 13). The new digital divide: Where are our girls? Retrieved February 3, 2020, from Equity Alliance website: www.niusileadscape.org/bl/
Steele, C. (2019, February 22). What is the Digital Divide? | Digital Divide Council. Digital Divide Council. www.digitaldividecouncil.com/what-is-the-digital-divide/